The role of gender inequality in the overeducation and life satisfaction relationship: An empirical analysis using panel data from Korea

Despite Korea’s economic development, gender inequality in its society and the labour market is still prevalent. Within this context, this investigation considers the relationship between overeducation and life satisfaction by gender. Korean females are better educated than males, and they also face more discrimination in the labour market, the consequences of overeducation are likely to differ by gender. Using Korean panel data the results are consistent with females having lower aspirations despite their high levels of education, and indicate that a more female friendly labour market could address the country’s currently underutilised human capital.